“DEAR BLACK CABS,” THE EMAIL BEGAN, “WOULD YOU PLEASE CONSIDER FILMING A SESSION WITH BRIAN WILSON (OF THE BEACH BOYS).” THEY REALLY DIDN’T NEED TO ADD THAT LAST BIT ABOUT THE BEACH BOYS. A FEW WEEKS LATER WE WERE OUTSIDE ABBEY STUDIOS, WITH THE TAXI HUMMING PATIENTLY BEHIND US, NERVOUSLY AWAITING ONE OF THE MOST INFLUENTIAL SONGWRITERS OF ALL TIME. AND THEN HE EMERGED WITH HIS BAND: FIVE OF THEM IN TOTAL. BIT TRICKY THAT BECAUSE, OF COURSE, YOU CAN ONLY SIT FIVE IN THE BACK OF CAB, AND SEEING AS THERE WERE TWO OF US TO FILM AND RECORD SOUND, THAT MADE AN UNLUCKY SEVEN IN TOTAL. SO WE JETTISONED SOUND RECORDING DUTIES, MADE THE FIVE OF THEM COMFORTABLE, AND WEDGED OUR CAMERAMAN IN AN AWKWARD STRESS POSITION BETWEEN THE JUMP SEATS. AND WE WERE AWAY, THE CAMERAMAN FILMING AN UNFORGETTABLE BLACK CAB SESSION WITH BRIAN WILSON (OF THE BEACH BOYS), TRYING TO KEEP THE CAMERA STEADY AS CRAMP SLOWLY TIGHTENS AROUND HIS HAMSTRING. AMAZINGLY, AFTER PERFORMING THAT LUCKY OLD SUN, THE BAND BREAK OUT INTO CALIFORNIA GIRLS. WE’VE COAXED SOME PRETTY BIG ACTS INTO THE BACK OF A CAB BUT LANDING BRIAN WILSON REALLY IS THE MOTHER OF ALL COUPS. WE HOPE YOU ENJOY IT – AND TO GET THE LATEST UPDATES ON FUTURE RELEASES (AND OH BOY WE’VE GOT SOME CRACKERS IN THE MIX), BE SURE TO SIGN UP TO THE KNOWLEDGE. OVER TO YOU BRIAN…

Wondermints are a power pop band out of Los Angeles, and the main members are Darian Sahanaja (keyboards), Nick Walusko (or Nicky Wonder) (guitar) and Mike D’Amico (percussion). Other contributors have included Brian Kassan (bass) and Probyn Gregory (multiple instruments).

The band’s distinctive sound is a mixture of Elvis Costello-esque New Wave and ’60s lounge music, with a lyrical predilection for scientific or science fiction topics (lyrics mentioning trilobites and DNA are not unusual!!).

The group formed in 1992 and released a vinyl single, “Proto Pretty“, which was later compiled on Rhino Records’ “Poptopia” series of power-pop compilations.

They followed this with the albums Wondermints (1995), Wonderful World of the Wondermints (an album of cover versions from 1996), Bali (1998) and Mind If We Make Love to You (2002). Most of these albums were released in Japan prior to release in the States.

In 1999, the group signed on to be part of Brian Wilson’s touring band. Sahanaja, Walusko, and Gregory have played with him ever since, with D’Amico only having toured with Wilson in 1999, 2000, 2002, and 2003. Due to personal issues, he was replaced in 2001 and early 2002 by Andy Paley, and in 2004 by Nelson Bragg. However, D’Amico is scheduled to rejoin Wilson’s band in the summer of 2008, replacing Jim Hines on drums. Sahanaja also missed a few shows in 2003, being replaced by Gary Griffin.

All the Wondermints can be heard on Wilson’s DVDs Live at the Roxy Theatre, and Brian Wilson on Tour, and Pet Sounds Live, with Sahanaja, Walusko, and Gregory also appearing on the Pet Sounds Live in London album and the studio albums Gettin’ in Over My Head and Smile.

The band are part of a power pop scene in Los Angeles, many of whose members play on each others’ records. All of the members of Wondermints, especially Gregory, have made frequent guest appearances and have several side projects, some of the more notable of which are Love, The Eels, Baby Lemonade, The Negro Problem, Stew and Kim Foxx.

Check out Mintsmania – the unofficial Wondermints page, for loads stuff about this great power-pop group!

This one was an unofficial release from the mighty Wondermints (all of their four official albums are available to buy) compiling some rarities such as some songs included on various collections (cassettes, compilations, tributes, singles, demos) from the 90’s but also some live stuff (all covers) recorded at the rehearsal room around 1995.

The first Wondermints songs are recorded in four track in Darian’s bedroom and put on a self-distributed cassette, the Blue one, because of the color of its cover. The Blue cassette contains six extraordinary songs that showcase an exuberance of musical talent and writing skills.

Just after the release of their first tape Wondermints becomes a trio when bassist Brian Kassan joins the ranks. At the end of 1992 this trio releases a second tape, the Purple cassette. Again recorded four track in Darian’s bedroom. And again it’s a winner that puts Wondermints firmly on the pure/power pop map.

At the beginning of 1993 drummer Mike D’amico becomes Wondermints fourth member, and not long after the group releases a vinyl-single on Pop Psycle Records: “Proto-Pretty“/”Silly Place“.

In 1994 Wondermints record a third tape, the Green one, which again shows a growth in musical talent, writing, production and playing. The Green cassette contains their best compositions yet: “Time“, “Global Village Idiot“, “Carnival Of Souls” and especially “Playtex Aviary” become instant power pop classics. Nick Walusko’s “Carnival Of Souls” is compiled by Jordan Oakes for his “Yellow Pills, Volume 2” collection.

Special note from the poster:

I grabbed this collection courtesy of a Japanese friend. There was no artwork, so I made an original one (with an imaginary title) in order to post this compilation on PPC.

There also does exist a fourth cassette (called the white one) which collects the epic demos plus six songs recorded live at the Reharsal Room (five of them can be found on Minstmania!). The white one was not included here. You’ll need both parts of the rar to extract the files.

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